We all know how tough the interview process can be. It can sometimes feel like an interrogation, but it is your best chance to sell yourself to a new company. Especially during times like this, when the job market is tight and your are facing competition from a larger group of people who are also experienced and hungry for the job.
One of the toughest things about preparing for an interview is getting prepared for the questions you will be asked. When you have an idea of what questions are the most common and have spent some time preparing, or at least outlining your answers, you can go into it with confidence.
So, to help you out with that, I want to start a new series called “The Toughest Interview Question of The Week” and each week, we can take a look at a tough interview question and go over some winning strategies for answering it.
Here is the Toughest Interview Question of The Week:
Question:
Aren't you overqualified for this position?
Why it is a trap: Especially now, when people are looking for a job and are more concerned with getting a paycheck than they are about the job position, this is a question many people will be hearing during their interviews. When an interviewer asks you this, it isn't the kiss of death. They want to find out if you are going to leave their company as soon as you find a better job. And even if that were true, you would never, ever want to give them a reason to think that was what you had planned.
Best answer: Try to think of this question like a sales attempt. They are stating their objection, and you have the chance to overcome the objection by assuring them that you would be committed to the job and show them the advantages of the situation rather than focusing on the drawbacks.
For example : “I realize that the job market is really just like any other marketplace. It is ruled by supply and demand. And with that taken into consideration, “overqualified” is fairly subjective depending on the job market. And currently, it is really tight. And I can accept that.”
“But, I think that there can be many benefits for both of us. Because of my strong background in (mention a skill they are looking for that you are strong in), I could start being a contributing member of your team right away, rather than you having to bring someone on more slowly with a great deal of training.”
“And, there is also the value of all of the training and the experience that my previous employers have invested in, that you will receive without having to pay a dime. If you were to hire someone without my level of experience, you would be the one to have to pay for their training.”
“Through the years, I have learned things that they just don't teach in college. For example, how to (depending on the position, say train, hire, motivate, or some skill that is essential for the job). When it comes down to knowing how to do the work, and how to work well within a team, there is just no real substitute for the knowledge you gain from years of front-line experience. And your company will be able to gain the value of my experience.”
“For me, there are many benefits as well. Right now, I am unemployed, and want to work very badly. And, the position that you have open is exactly what I love to do and it is what I am good at. I know that I would be happy in this positions, and honestly, doing something that I love is a whole lot more important to me than a large paycheck or an impressive title.”
“More importantly, I am looking to make a long-term commitment to a job. I am tired of job-hunting and want a permanent position. I know that if I can excel at this job, other opportunities will open up down the road for me here. And in the meantime, I will have the chance to do what I love and be outstanding at it.”
By overcoming the concerns and judgements that many employers make about overqualified candidates, you can show them the deal they are getting and make them feel more assured of your willingness to commit to a company long term, even when the job doesn't offer the same title or pay as your previous jobs.
What interview questions do you think are the toughest? Do you have any suggestions for interview questions you would like to see me answer here? Let me know in the comments.
Are you looking for a job in Manufacturing? Be sure to visit ManufacturingWorkers.com
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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